My Next Lentil Wash - I Want to Get It Right This Time !.

[Still Brewing]

A few hours to go until this wash is six days old and I have some excellent news. The sg is down to 1000, temperature adjusted to 1002. Right from the off it has been a completely different fermentation. Much more vigorous and the wash looks a lot cleaner for some reason. Don't know if the PH buffer has done this but it certainly has made a difference as far as the time it has taken to ferment.

Will now leave it another couple of days to see if it drops any more. In the meantime I have to clean out a few more fermenting bins as production is going to increase.

[Still Brewing]

Fermentation now looks complete. Down to sg 996, so just a little over with temperature adjusting. Turned the heater off now so that it can clear itself up a bit.

[hampk]

Great news SB! That is exactly what happened with my wheat wash when I first used pH buffer - I'm not saying it's for everyone but it certainly made the difference to my fermentations and it's a standard ingredient now.

Good luck with the distillation.

Cheers

Hampk

[Still Brewing]

Thanks Hampk

Now that its finished (sg996) its time for the clearing process before the distillation.

Does it really matter what the ph of the finished wash is. Just checked it and its 3.8, is this normal. I could adjust it but is it really worth it considering its going to be distilled.

Just one more question, my wash has finished very white, bright or whatever you want to call it. Its obviously the ph buffer that was added previously, so is this normal and will it affect the clearing process.

Cheers

[hampk]

I don't think the final pH matters - it's only relevant while the yeasties are active. My wheat wash finishes opaque though I'm not sure I'd describe it as 'bright' - again as long as it clears alright is not worry myself. Others with more experience may have thoughts though?

Cheers

Hampk

[Still Brewing]

Thanks again.

Gave it a good degassing and then decided to use a two part finings on this one. Only reason I used them was for speed as I really need to get a decent stock of neutral together. Now it has a lid on it and have placed it outside the back door on a bench. Hoping that by morning it will be clear enough to strip.

Already got another on the go this evening and if I have time will start another two batches tomorrow.

Thanks to all for the help on this lentil wash. Right from the start I noticed a huge difference in the way it was fermenting, compared to my previous attempts and its the first one that has ever dropped to 996. Even manage to now get it within one degree of the ideal fermenting temperature every time I make it. Saves waiting for it to cool down.

Cheers Chaps.

[Easydrinker]

I believe hampk is right there, final PH matters not a jot, when the ferment is finished.
And, maybe controversially, I am going to throw in that if you have knowledge of your still, then maybe a totally clear wash is not needed.
If chasing a neutral spirit,a clear wash may be the way to go with a small still.
But flavoured spirits may demand a different approach.
Here I think/hope that some people that came this way in eons past will be happy to come back and help people along the way.
Ask, and you may receive.
I will do what I can.

Robert.

[RumJohn]

@SB: I have never questioned on here what people are referring to when they mention a clear wash. My idea of clearing is a settling of the dead yeast. When making rum, which is my usual, the wash when finished is a very, very dark brown. This due to the molasses.

Some of the main reasons for a stripping run is to remove color, solids, unfermented sugars and excess water, to give a more manageable product for the spirit run.

AS for the ph when the SG is at 0.995 or whenever you consider the run complete, it is game over. The run is complete. Let it settle then do a stripping run.